2012 Young Referee of the Year Regional Award Winners Announced

FRISCO, Texas (Dec. 17, 2012) - US Youth Soccer announces the regional winners of the 2012 US Youth Soccer Male and Female Young Referee of the Year awards. The Young Referee of the Year Award honors those who have a strong work ethic, have knowledge of the rules of the game and are positive role models.

The national Young Referee of the Year winners will be announced at the US Youth Soccer Awards Gala on Friday, Jan. 18, at 7:30 p.m., as part of the US Youth Soccer Workshop in Indianapolis, held in conjunction with the NSCAA Convention.

Brief bios of the regional winners are below based on the submitted nomination forms.

Young Male Referee of the Year regional award winners:

Region I – Jordan Cavaco – Brockton, Mass.Since starting as a Grade 9 Referee in 2007, Jordan Cavaco worked hard to become a Grade 7 Referee by October of 2011. He’s worked numerous events, including the 2012 US Youth Soccer National Presidents Cup and the 2012 US Youth Soccer Region I Championships. Cavaco is respectful of players and coaches and sees refereeing as a way to show and improve his knowledge of the game. He’s also been involved as a player and TOPSoccer Buddy.

Region II – Colby Rankin – Wichita, Kan.Colby Rankin began refereeing at age 14 and plans to continue officiating in college. Rankin is certified for both indoor and outdoor games and can be found refereeing almost every weekend of the year. He continues to educate himself to improve his knowledge of the game and stays highly involved by taking extra games for no-show referees and mentoring younger referees. With CPR/First-Aid Training, Rankin can assist with on-field injuries and plans to study medicine in college.

Region III – Dallas Rosier – Chapin, S.C.The son of a referee, Dallas Rosier has already had some unique experiences in his short career as a referee. Since receiving his referee certification in 2008, Rosier has officiated three International Friendly matches and has been named the 2011 and 2012 South Carolina Youth Soccer Association Male Youth Referee of the Year. He’s shown the willingness to work with more experienced referees to improve his craft, as well as the desire to act as a mentor for younger referees.

Region IV – Kyle Wiest – Pleasanton, Calif.Kyle Wiest, 17, has been involved with soccer as a player, coach and referee. He began refereeing in 2007 and is currently working toward becoming a Grade 7 Referee. He works 50-70 games each year and has officiated US Youth Soccer ODP camps and State Cup finals. He was named the Pleasanton Soccer Referee Association Male Referee of the year three straight times. Wiest plays and referees the game with passion and integrity, providing other youth with a model of professionalism.

Young Female Referee of the Year regional award winners:

Region I – Inga Maric – Gilbertsville, Pa.Since starting at age 14 at the recreational level, Inga Maric has continued to improve and is now working on becoming a Grade 7 Referee. She’s participated in US Youth Soccer ODP games and is interested in using her experience to mentor younger referees. Maric is an honors student and very involved in the community with causes such as the Special Olympics, THON and Relay for Life. Now a high school senior, she didn’t play soccer until her junior year but has made the varsity squad both seasons.

Region II – Ashley Marroquin – Holt, Mich.When injuries ended Ashley Marroquin’s playing career, she didn’t give up on the game. Instead, she became a volunteer coach and pursued refereeing. Marroquin is always working to learn more about refereeing and isn’t afraid to ask questions. She’s gained refereeing experience at US Youth Soccer ODP and Michigan State Cup events, and she was an active attendee at FIFA Referee Margaret Domka’s clinic during the summer. Outside of soccer, Marroquin works in a support group to help younger peers with challenges.

Region III – Keina Crawford – Byron, Ga.Keina Crawford has played soccer all her life and began refereeing in 2005. She’s since been named the 2012 Georgia Female Youth Referee of the Year and is working toward becoming a Grade 7 Referee. Crawford acts as a mentor for other female youth referees and has worked as a coach for a local middle school. Outside of soccer, Crawford excels in the classroom as an honors student and is involved in many clubs and organizations.

Region IV – Kate E. Chapman – Victorville, Calif.At 18 years old, Kate Chapman has an extensive knowledge of the game and is comfortable officiating among the top referees in the state. She has been a registered USSF referee since 2009 and was assigned to a final at the 2011 US Youth Soccer ODP Regional Championships. She developed her skills in the Youth Referee Development Program and enjoyed the many experiences that came with the program. Chapman continues to referee in college and also works as a student athletic trainer.

The US Youth Soccer Workshop will be held in Indianapolis from January 16-19, 2013. The annual Workshop will be held at the Indianapolis Convention Center in conjunction with the NSCAA Convention. The week is designed to further the education of coaches, administrators, referees and enthusiasts involved in the game. For more information please visit USYouthSoccer.org/Workshop/NSCAA.